Red Cabin Pottery Surprise Delivery

While out at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show there was a coffee mug I wanted from Red Cabin Pottery, but when I went to there booth to purchase they were sold out.  We traded contact info and told them I'd be in touch to pick-up the Brook Trout mug, as you might gather it totally slipped my mind.

So I was totally surprised today when on my door step was a box (I didn't order anything), I was in a daze what could it be.  The name on the box did not ring any bells. Scratching my head I was wondering what could it be?  Wait look there is a packing slip, and it clicked when I was Red Cabin Pottery (Denver, coffee mug).  Surprise again, not one but three mugs, a Brook, Rainbow and Brown mug.  Now wait I didn't pay for them in Denver, a gift?  I could not find an invoice so I'm thinking gift. I have to say the folks at Red Cabin Pottery are a class act. 

So what could I do but to say thanks the folks at Red Cabin Pottery on the blog. 

Red Cabin Pottery THANK YOU!!!

Red Cabin Pottery Mugs

Rainbow

Brook Trout

Brown

Red Cabin Pottery

Red Cabin Pottery ceramics are manufactured by Jersey Pottery located on a small Island of Jersey off the coast of France using Czech porcelains.  With watercolors by Richard Bramble of Great Britain.


Portions of all sales go towards conservation through Trout Unlimited.

Red Cabin Pottery is located in Texas, for more info go to their web site http://www.redcabinpottery.com/ or contact them via email at info@redcabinpottery.com
or by phone at (877) 540-2643. 

If your looking for a gift for your angler, I'd recommend you visit Red Cabin Pottery.

Aaron Jasper ties his "Fire Fly"

While at the International Fly Tiers Symposium several tiers where gracious to allow me to film them tying some of their patterns.

The first in a series will be Aaron Jasper co-founder of Trout Predator Online (TPO) a New Jersey native and Euro-Nymphing master.  Aaron cut his teeth on Flat Brook, Ramapo and Pequest Rivers and now writes, and educates angles on Euro-Nymphing through TPO, speaking engagements, and shows.

The "Fire Fly"



Size – 16 DOHIKU D301 Barbless
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Dark Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3mm (Fluorescent Orange)
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Body – Pheasant tail died Brown
Tail – Wood Duck fibers
Rib – Copper wire

As a variation of the beloved Pheasant Tail nymph it's a sure winner.  I like it for that an it follows the K.I.S.S. rule.  So here is Aaron tying his "Fire Fly," enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving and Safe Travels

First happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all during this holiday long weekend.

Beside the football games, loads of food, fishing and hunting getaways (before, after and during), I've done all three, and there is shopping. While many seek deals on flat panel TV's, holiday gifts and other electronic, why not fishing gear. Well West Branch Angler's is offering a 24 Hour Black Friday Sale!! All Fly Fishing Gear 20% Off* Gift Cards 10% Off Online Only This Friday 11/26!

*Excludes Sage

I get there newsletter and there was no mention of a offer code or coupon code. This posting is an FYI and you'll need to check out if the extra 20% off is a real deal. This it not an endorsement of West Branch Angler's, I'm just passing the info along, and who knows you may find a deal.

Thank you Bugs of the Underworld and the Ice Pink Larva

Back in July I developed the Ice Pink Larva from watching Ralph and Lisa Cutter's DVD "Bugs of the Underworld".  I did not test the pattern until recently, and I must say it did produce.  While I take some Rainbows the majority were Browns

Image from "Bugs of the Underworld"

Ice Pink Larva

First Trout on the Ice Pink Larva

Taker number two.

Third time is the charm.

International Fly Tying Symposium Summary

Well the International Fly Tying Symposium is over and I'm still processing the last two days.  Day one was one big social. I could not walk five feet before bumping into a friend and starting a conversation. (This went on all day.)  Day two was filming tiers and some of their patterns. (Posting will become available as I edit.)  My material's list was short.   I wasn't planning to buy much, but managed to spend more than a few dollars.  Most was spent on Czech nymph materials, Hungarian Partridge skins, and books.  Here are a few photographs of patterns that caught my eye, and as you can see, these don't follow the K.I.S.S. rule. One day when I have more time (retirement maybe), I'll take up tying Salmon flies and such.

Jock Scott By Charles A. Chute

Crayfish by Max Birnkammer

Mosquito by Robert Schreiner

Stevens Streamers by Greg Heffner

Sir Herbert by Paul Rossman

Getting out before the International Fly Tying Symposium

Since the International Fly Tying Symposium opens tomorrow there was only one thing I could do today...

I went fishing and had a great day, no one pattern fished better than another but the fish were one. Later in the day when the water warmed up (46º F was the high) BWO were out an about.  Since  I was Euro-Nymphing  (a.k.a. Czech Nymphing) I did not have the rig to switch over to dries but no worries because they were on the nymph as well.

It was a great day out the start of a splendid weekend.   The rig I used today was mu Rock Work on the dropper,  and a my variarion of Hans Stephenson's "Bomb" as the anchor and a size 20 bead head BWO flash back nymph on the point.

Here are some of the results:

Tomorrow I'll try to post some live feeds the blog and my twitter feed for the International Fly Tying Symposium.

Night Fishing - Fish Porn

I was night fishing recently (which is happening more since the time change).  I wasn't surprised by the Browns, its been a while since I caught a rock bass (old red eyes) which is one of our native species.

Dead drifting and swinging streamers is my most effective method of taking fish at night. So here is some fish porn of my night forays.

Old Red Eye

A nice Brown

The Pig of the pool.

Easy Carp

All you'll need to catch these beauties is a Pennsylvania license, stiff 8 wt., a good drag and a lot of backing. 

These carp are in the center of New Hope, PA under the bridge, which means people feed them.  They are conditioned to eat when any thing hit the water.  No problem getting them to take, your problems start when the fight is on, because there is little real-state on either side of the bank to chase them down.  One day I just have to take that chance.  Enjoy of the video and fishing fantasy.

Leaf Soup

Just about two weeks ago our rivers were "Leaf Soup" while it does make fishing a little changeling the fish are still feeding. Now most of the leafs are off the trees and the river has returned to an more normal state. Here is what it was like...

Even though it looks unfishable here are a Brown Trout and a Rainbow taken in the "Leaf Soup."

Thanks to "The Jersey Angler" who shot these photos, because I left my camera on my fly tying desk.

Remember our Veterans

On this Veterans Day take the time and remember and honors those who have served and are serving our country, protecting our freedoms.



Our freedoms are through their service and sacrifice. I'd like to say thank you.

New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest

The New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest took place on November 6, 2010 at the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, Califon, NJ.  The contest was held on the Inn’s mile of private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  Each New Jersey chapter of Trout Unlimited and three Watershed Associations, the Upper Raritan, Musconetcong and South Branch select one angler each to participate.  A total of 13 participants headed out on a beautiful fall day.  After the morning round three anglers emerged as the point leaders. Bart Lombardo of Central Jersey TU was leader fishing the CE Crayfish pattern next was Keith Bologno representing the Uppper Raritan Watershed and finally Bill Silvia from Ken Lockwood TU landed an 18" Rainbow in the final minutes. 

After lunch the three anglers set off for the final round.  Bart’s best fish of the afternoon was disqualified because the fish threw the hook, and then was re-hooked in the dorsal fin. As time ran out Keith Bologno was the leader, but in the last minutes Bill Silvia tied Keith with a 21" Rainbow creating a dramatic tie.  The judges Jim Holland, Brian Cowden, and Don Tredski  determined to end the tie with a fish-off.  It took an epic two and a quarter hours to end the tie, with may fish hooked but not landed. Until Bill Silvia landing an 18" rainbow to capture the honors of 2010 NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. 

The 2010 Contestants:

Hacklebarney Chapter -  Rich Tullo;
East Jersey Chapter - Bruce Seiden;
Fred Boroughs Chapter - Susan Reed;
Ridge and Valley - Tim Johnston;
Ken Lockwood - Bill Silvia ;
Central Jersey - Bart Lombardo;
Ray Neirle Chapter - Steve Moody;
Jersey Shore - John Clark;
Rahway River - Chris Martino;
Ernest Schwiebert Chapter - Angelo Conti;
Upper Raritan Watershed - Keith Bologno;
South Branch Watershed - Fred Puelle;
Musconetcong Watershed - Stewart Shafran;
NJ TU State Council - August Gudmundsson;

Sponsored by Hardy North America.

A very special thanks needs to be given to Bill Asdal of the  Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast for hosting the event and dinner and Jim Holland of Shannons Fly and Tackle, Califon, NJ.

Here is movie of Bart (a.k.a The Jersey Angler) during the final round.

 

Take care of those hands, tying season is approaching.

Tying season is approaching fast, the chill in the air is the first sign, second is no leafs on the trees, and finally snow on the roof.

I starting to go through my supplies and boxes to see what I need to tie for next season, but there is one thing I have to due right now.  That is take care of my hands.  Why you might ask well blasting the heat in the car after fishing to get the blood back into my cold wet hands, next is the temperature starts to drop which means the furnace fires up drying out the air in the house, and finally chopping wood and playing with the fire place.  These all lead to dry chapped hand that catch and break thread and many tying into a chore. So here is a product that I use because it protects and heals those chapped digits.

It is skincare that works

My local Shop-Rite grocery store carries Gloves in a Bottle while it's not cheap at $15.95 for a 8 oz. (240 ml) bottle, but it is well worth it.  It's Greaseless, non-sticky, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, completely safe and non-toxic, which mean no unwanted oil or sent on your flies.

Gloves in a Bottle

My biggest problem is keeping it way from my lady, she stopped using her Name Brand and keeps stealing this bottle from my tying desk.  I have only one alternative, break down and buy another bottle.

New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year

As many may have read on The Jersey Angler's blog that he is participating in the New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. This is a catch and release one fly" tournament held on South Branch of the Raritan River at the Raritan Inn Bed and Breakfast, Califon, NJ. The event is being sponsored by Hardy North America

Beside the One-Fly contest The day's events will include: Casting demonstrations; Entomology presentation; Reading the stream; Stream enhancement case studies and South Branch restoration plans; Fly tying; Bamboo rod construction; Streamside techniques; NJ fish habitats and a Silent auction to benefit NJ Trout Unlimited.

Well I wanted to do my part so I tied up 3 of my CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler for the one fly event.  Lets wish him all the luck and let his skill do the rest.

CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler

 

I'd met up with The Jersey Angler this after noon where I presented him with the flies and a discription of the water he was going to fish (I've fished that private streath in with my boys).

I plan on attending, photographing and filming the event. Conditions look good for him to do well with the CE Crayfish, a good soaking rain on Thursday and off color water today.  The levels should be good for taking some nice fish tomorrow.

Again lets wish him all the best.

Al's Rat

If you fish tail waters or spring creeks with selective trout you need to they this pattern by Al Miller. The materials list is dead easy black thread and muskrat fur.

This pattern works well on the Little Lehigh Heritage section in Allentown, PA and is a good imatation of tricos, and BWO when tied with olive thread.

I've found it a great patter to use as a dropper off a Griffins Gnat.

Click on the link below to see  “Ozzie's” video of Al Miller tying the "Rat"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngSraA6whFM

The Bank Robber Fly Rods – Co-Developed by St. Croix and Kelly Galloup

Photo Source: Angling Trade

Kelly Galloup is a well known for his tying innovations such as the Butt Monkey, Zoo Cougar and other streamer innovative. He is a well-known fly designer, outfitter, writer, and owner of the Slide Inn on the Madison. Now he can add rod designer to his resume.

St. Croix and Kelly co-developed the new Bank Robber series of rods for pounding the banks. Currently there are only two rods in the series: 9′ 4-piece rods for 6-weight; and 7-weight lines. The rod blanks are built on high-modulus/high- strain SCV graphite blanks and reinforced in lower sections for added power.  These are the first St. Croix rods to use 3M Matrix Resin, a new Nano resin from 3M.  The big advantage according to St. Croix is added strength without the add weight.

The Bank Robber series is handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, and are protected by a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix’s Superstar Service. No time frame was announced for availability but I sure it will available at the winter fly-fishing shows. I’d like to get my hands on one to give it a try.  I own two St. Croix Legend Elite rods, the 7'9" 3 weight and 8'6" 3 weight. I love them both and can’t wait to try the new Bank Robber.